2022 was a year marked by exponential growth for Vertx Partners, and with many more opportunities still on the horizon, Vertx is eager to continue its expansion in 2023.

Launched in October of 2021, Vertx Partners achieved tremendous progress in 2022 toward its goal of weaving a network of innovation throughout Appalachia. Rooted in West Virginia, Vertx has forged alliances with a number of high-profile clients, such as Acoustic Research Systems (ARS), AmeriCarbon, Trilogy Innovations, and more. Members of Vertx’s executive team – including President Sean Frisbee, VP of External Relations Scott Rotruck, and VP of Operations Mary Cook – continued their crucial work in the establishment of the WV Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Advisory Council through the West Virginia state legislature.
Vertx Partners was founded as an initiative by the Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment (APEX); with its 2022 successes on the table, Vertx has been approved for additional funding from APEX, guaranteeing ongoing service to clientele at no cost to them. In 2023, Vertx will double down on its commitment to foster partnership, identify funding opportunities, and consult with its partners.
2023 Expansions
As the New Year begins, Vertx Partners is excited to be expanding its operations further across Appalachia, from the southern region of New York State to the Tennessee Valley. With Vertx maintaining offices in Morgantown and Charleston, West Virginia as well as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company has truly evolved into a pan-Appalachian unifier – with prospects beyond, as well!
Vertx Partners recently inducted several new associates, including Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) expert Jeff Grusy, aerospace technologies specialist Randy Hefner, and Tennessee liaison Chris Ford. Each of these fresh additions brings with them a wealth of expertise in their respective fields which will aid Vertx in serving its individual cohorts’ interests, enhancing both the success of Vertx and its partners.
Vertx & Its Partners
In March 2023, representatives from Vertx will attend the Air Force Association’s Warfare Symposium to learn about and report on the latest in Air/Space Force innovation. With space in mind, Vertx is also placing emphasis on marshaling together a greater presence of space-related efforts in WV.
One of Vertx’s partners, Acoustic Research Systems, has seen great success domestically and abroad with their NEUTRON Sound System which has proven attractive to other country’s space agencies as well as our own. Jeremiah Leiter, CEO and co-founder of ARS, was recently appointed to the board of the Keystone Space Collaborative, a non-profit dedicated to serving and growing the space industry in the Tri-State area of WV, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
Developing these relationships enables Vertx to stay at the forefront of innovation in Appalachia and best serve our growing clientele.
Advanced Air Mobility, Vertx, and West Virginia
On the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) front, Vertx is working closely with Mingo County, WV, and its KEBD airport near the Kentucky border on an AAM project that emphasizes technology transition. Southern West Virginia – and West Virginia more broadly – offers an ideal location for advancements in AAM due to its variable terrain and climate, low population density, and low cost of operation.
Lastly, Vertx leadership is interested in pulling together a group of AAM contributors in the state of West Virginia. Tentatively named the WV Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Collaborative, this group is a means of caucusing and gauging interest in the region early on as this technological transition is primed to occur. This organization is open to any public, private, academic, or non-profit stakeholder interested in joining.
Interested in membership with the WV UAS Collaborative or in getting in touch with Vertx? Reach out to us on our ‘Contact’ page to get started. As we move into the New Year together, Vertx remains committed to serving West Virginia, Appalachia, innovators, and you. Get in touch with a member of the Vertx team today to join a growing movement of like-minded innovators working to build a better future in Appalachia and beyond.
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